mohammad jawed joya

Hindu residents of Afghanistan experienced significant changes in their social and economic life throughout history, despite the establishment of various governments. During the nineteenth century and with the growth of Hindu population in Afghanistan, on one hand, and the social, economic, and political instabilities in the country on the other hand, Hindus experienced notable transformations in their social and economic life. This research, with a descriptive-analytical method based on the western travelogues of the nineteenth century, tries to answer the question of how the social and economic life of Hindus is reflected in the western travelogues? The claim to the above problem and question could be described as follows that, since, the travelogues were written by non-native people, they have paid significant attention to the small and large issues of daily life, the social and economic conditions of religious and racial minorities, especially Hindus. Thus, they have reflected their social and economic situation with considerable comprehension. This research has found that Hindus have had peaceful and prosperous social life similar to Afghans in many aspects, and their social and religious freedoms were guaranteed by the government and people in most cases. In terms of economic life, they also had a significant role in markets, government, monetary exchanges, trade, and official professions, placing a significant number of them among the wealthy classes in the society.

Burial customs and benevolence of the dead are an important part of the culture of every society. Since this virtue of the dead is not formed all at once and it is not obsolete, it is considered an important basis for knowing the culture, way of life, and history of each land, because the dead reflect the opinions of society, the application of government laws, climatic and environmental conditions, It is people's livelihood and social position. The importance of the present research is that it directs our perspective towards the way of life, beliefs, opinions and culture of the people of Nuristan and new researchers who seek to know this land.In the present research, we investigated the issue of how and with what method the Nuristanis performed the rituals of mourning, burial and benevolence of their dead? The initial answer is that Nuristanis believed in life after death and people's view of death was a journey to another world. They used to mourn and bury the dead on this basis and belief. In addition to their beliefs and opinions about life after death, the wealth and social status of people also played a prominent role in how to treat and respect the dead. The findings of the research clarify that group dance , preparing the coffin, not burying the dead in the ground, making a statue and putting the necessary tools and food in the coffin were important components of mourning and benevolence of the dead in Nuristan.

Nuristan is a province located in the northeast of Afghanistan, which is known as Bilour/Bilouristan in Islamic sources of the Middle Ages and as Kāfiristān among Muslims. The people of Nuristan were divided into several social classes, the lowest class of which were slaves. Slaves played an important role in the daily work and life of Nuristan people. Slaves were responsible for important jobs such as carpentry, blacksmithing, wood carving, making clothes, shoe making and leather making. In the meantime, carpentry and blacksmithing had a special place in the daily life of Nuristan people, because the agricultural tools and weapons that people needed were prepared by slaves. Slave women and girls were also used to work in houses, raising children and farming. Based on George Scott Robertson's travelogue, this research has investigated the social status and daily life of slaves in old Nuristan.